Sex hormone involvement in the development of experimental virally induced murine salivary gland tumors

Abstract

Mice were given a single inoculation of polyoma virus at birth and then orchideclomised or oopliorectomiscd. Unoperated groups received polyoma virus alone whilst further males received testosterone, and females received oestradiol thrice‐weekly in addition to polyoma virus inoculation. All groups were then observed over the succeeding 370 days for the development of tumors of the submandibular and parotid salivary glands. Polyoma virus inoculation selectively induced salivary gland tumors in 70% of male animals and 30% of female animals given polyoma virus alone. Testosterone therapy increased the salivary tumor frequency from 69–90% whilst orchidectomy reduced the tumor frequency to 50%. Oophorectomy or oestrogen therapy did not significantly alter the salivary gland tumor frequency in females but oestrogen therapy did result in the development of second primary tumors of breast in 60% of female animals bearing salivary gland tumors. The role of androgens in the development of virally induced salivary gland tumors is discussed as are the possible mechanisms responsible for the development of second primary tumor of breast.

A hypothesis to relate salivary tumors with mammary and prostate neoplasias

“…However, estrogen treatment was associated with breast second primary tumors in 60% of female animals bearing salivary gland tumors. [31] …”

Primary Epithelial Tumors of Salivary Glands.Histomorphological and Immunohistochemical Implications.

“…The further characterization of such animal models should have a potential suitable model of neoplastic diseases of salivary glands in humans [45] . As in cases of breast cancers, virally induced murine salivary gland tumors using polyoma virus have been found to be dependent on sex hormone, androgen in particular for the development of virally induced salivary tumors in experimental animals [102]. Therefore, studies on chromosomal patterns, mapping of proto-oncogenes and combined actions of various proto-oncogenes and viral genomes with poorly understood oncogenec factors would enable us to elucidate the complex role played by these agents in the genesis and progression of salivary gland neoplasms.…”